The Price we pay for Musical Independence

Revenue Decline In the 21st century, consumers spent far less money on recorded music than they had in 1990s, in all formats. You want numbers - total revenues dropped 25% from $38.6 billion in 1999 to $29 billion in 2007. Same revenues in the U.S. dropped from a high of $14.6 billion in 1999 to $10.4 billion in 2008.This downward trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.. In fact I’ve heard it said that by 2013, revenues in USA may reach as low as $9.2 billion. Talking the Napster’s of the world to court  failed to slow the decline in revenue. This dramatic decline in revenue has caused ripples in the water i/e large-scale layoffs inside the industry itself. Even retailers like Tower Records went out of business and forced record companies, record producers, studios, recording engineers and musicians to seek new more effective business model.

Revenue Shift Recording artists now rely on live performances and merchandise for the majority of their income, which in turn has made them more dependent on music promoters that dominate  tour promotion and owns a large number of music venues.

Musical Independence Many newer artists no longer see any kind of “Record Deal" as an integral part of their business plan at all. Inexpensive recording hardware and software has made it possible to create high quality music in a bedroom and distribute it over the internet to a worldwide audience. This, in turn, has caused problems for Recording Studios, Record Producers and audio Engineers: Infect as many as half of the recording facilities in that city have failed.

Quantity vs Quality Changes in the music industry have given consumers access to a wider variety of music than ever before, at a price that gradually approaches zero. But nothing comes at a price. While we have opened up the floodgates of musical independence, access, and quantity we have taken a big hit on musical quality – though the packaging is quite impressive. The actual quality of most of the Independent Musical Productions has declined significantly. In fact I would say about 10% of Independent Music that comes across my desk is what I would call professional grade. It takes skill and engineering savvy to record, mix, and master a musical production to industry standards these days. I might add its 2010, so the bar is set rather high for independent artists. As listeners we take a lot for granted as we listen to well crafted songs that are presented to us in a professional format. It’s so true that you never notice a bad mix until you actually hear one.

Now Everyone can be a Super Due the budding Internet and increased access to computer technology now everyone can be a rock start via there bedroom studios, and their Independent CD distribution plans. Basically everyone can be a super star. This is good news but there is a flipside. If you’ve ever watched the move The Incredible, villain Syndrome said it best.

“Now everyone can be super, & when everyone’s super.........no one will be!"

- Syndrome -

At the end of the day it’s simply the price we pay for our musical independence.